Support device



Feb. 19, 1963 J. L. DARLING EI'AL 3,077,980

SUPPORT DEVICE Filed April 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 !"1 l J 3 1' L. .1

INVENTORS J 2 JAMES L. DARLING J 0 GEORGE K. MERDINIAN -6 BY JOHN N. GEORAS M F W Mk 8% ATTORNEYS Feb. 19, 1963 J. DARLING ET AL 3,077,980

SUPPORT DEVICE Filed April 11, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS JAMES L. DARLING GEORGE K. MERDINIAN JOHN N. GEORAS y ATTORNEYS United States Patent Ofiice 3,077,980 Patented Feb. 19, 1953 3,077,980 SUPPGRT DEVICE James L. Darling, Palo Alto, George K. Merdinian, Daly Our invention relates to support devices for fragile manufactured articles, and more particularly, to a support evice or frame for electron tubes which require support intermediate their ends to prevent lateral displacement and destruction of tube components. I In the electronics industry, which is noted for the delicacy of its products, it has been a continuing problem to devise methods and means for handling and packing tubes which by their nature are extremely fragile and subject to being damaged even by careful handling;

The problem is aggravated by tubes such, for example, as power-amplifier klystron tubes, which can be many feet long while having a relatively small diameter. These tubes are built up of axially aligned alternate metal and ceramic sections having their associated ends integrally united by flexible, hermetically tight unions or seals. The seals are especially designed to relieve destructive stresses imposed on the fragile ceramic sections because of variations in the coefiicients of expansion and contraction of different materials. When evacuated, the axially aligned sections are placed in compression by atmospheric pressure, and the flexible seals and ceramic sections easily support this pressure. The seals and ceramic sections are not designed to withstand tensile stresses imposed by vertically suspending the tube from its upper end, or imposed by laterally directed forces applied between the ends of the tube tending to cause misalignment of the tube. So critical is the factor of axial alignment that the metal and ceramic tube components are vertically stacked one upon another during assembly, and must remain in this position while unsupported against laterally directed forces.

Since it is essential for the eificient fabrication, testing and shipping of these tubes that they be capable of safe in-plant mobility and shipment by commercial carriers, either in a vertical or horizontal position, it is animportant object of the present invention to provide a -rigid, light, easily attachable and detachable device for supporting such electron tubes in either a vertical or horizontal attitude.

It is notoriously difficult to secure careful handling of fragile articles by disinterested persons, and it has been found that the degree of care exercised is materially in-- creased if the person handling the article can see it and thus be affected by the visual impact of its fragile character. It is therefore still another object of the invention to provide a support device or frame for'electron tubes which provides the desired support and protection for the tube while not obscuring to visual observation the fragile character of the tube.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a support frame of the character described which is capable of economical manufacture in various sizes to accommodate different size tubes.

Tubes of the beam type, such as klystrons, are especially susceptible to shock damage, and it is, accordingly, a still further object of the invention to provide a support frame which isolates the beam tube from impact shocks and destructive vibrations.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some or" which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following description of our invention. It is to be understood that we do not limit our invention to the embodiment disclosed, as wemay adopt variant embodirnents within the scope of the appended claims.

Broadly considered, the support device or frame comprises an "elongated frame having longitudinally spaced collars adaptedt'o fit snugly around and support the elec-' tron tube ataxially 'spaced intervals; The frame is quickly and easily attachable to and detachable from'the tube, and resiliently supports the flexibly interconnected tubeelements in axialalignment; The tube and frame, so'related, are adapted for 'in-plant handling and also to being enclosed in a'tran'sport case for shipment by commerciabcarriers Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 an'elevational view, partly in section, showing an'outline ofaklystrontube;

' FIGJ Z isfan elevational view showing our supporting device in full lines standing in the end of the transport case which ultimately encloses it. The klystron tube enclosed and supported by the'latticed frame, andthe transport case, are shown in dash lines. Intermediate and final positions of the support frame are also shown in dash lines."

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the support frame.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the support frame taken in the direction indicatedby the arrow 4' in FIG. 3.

' FIG: 5 is'a sectional view of one of the shock absorbers shown apart 'from'the support frame.

FIG; 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

' FIG. 7 is a' fragmentary View showing the means releasably interconnecting complementary sections of the support frame. I

All of the'figures are drawn to a scale greatly reduced from actual size.

In greater detail, the support device or frame of our invention is particularly adapted to enclose and support a beam type tube such as the klystron illustrated in FIG. 1. Such tubes usually comprise an electron gun 2 at one end, a collector 3 at the other end, and an envelope body portion 4 hermetically interposed therebetween and comprised of axially aligned alternate metal drift tube and ceramic sections 6 and 7, respectively, integrally and hermetically interconnected by'fiexible seals 8, designed to accommodate relative displacement of the drift tubes and ceramic sections as a result of thermal expansion and contraction. Radially extending annular metallic flanges 9 are brazed at their inner periphery to an associated drift tube section 6, while adjacent its outer periphery the annular flange is hermetically brazed to seal flanges 8.

- It is well known that tubes of this type are susceptible to damage caused by forces imposed transversely of the axis of the'tube because the flexible seals and ceramic parts are not capable of withstanding such forces. Thus it will be seen that in a tube ten feet long, any lateral deflection at the midpoint of the envelope will result in misalignment of the drift tubes and "subsequent undesirable bombardment thereof by electrons. If the lateral in the plane deflection is aggravated, rupture of the delicate hermetic seals may occur, resulting in the vacuum within the tube being destroyed.

To obviate this problem, the support device or frame of our invention comprises an elongated latticed frame 10, including upperand lower axially aligned portions 12 and '13 ,respectively. The lower portion 13; comprises about 20% of the overall length of the frame, while the upper portion makesup'the remaining of the frame.

As shown best in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, the upper and lower portions-are each'split longitudinally to provide complementary latticed sections 14 and 16 in the upper portion, and'17 and 18in the lower-portion. Each of theupper sections 14 and 16 comprises an upper apertured end plate 19 having aneye-bolt 21 secured therein,

3 and a lower apertured end plate 22. The end plates 19 and 22 are held in spaced relation by longitudinally extending tubular stringers or bars 23 having opposite ends extending into and releasably secured in the apertures of the spaced-apart end plates 19 and 22.

To support and stiffen the stringer-end-plateassembly,

additional apertured intermediate plates 24 are provided interposed between the end plates. As shown best by FIG. 6, each of the end plates 1% and 22, and each of the intermediate plates 24 are arcuate in form. The plates are preferably cast aluminum alloy heat treated to pro-.

vide the requisite degree of toughness, while the stringers or bars are conveniently formed from standard heattreatcd aluminum alloy tubing. Suitable pins 26 extendring diametrically into each plate through the tubes secure tubes and plates into a rigid, latticed frame-work. When desired, the pins 26 may be of a quickly releasable type to facilitate adjustment of the end and intermediate plates longitudinally of the tubular stringers in order to accommodate different size electron tubes. Also, if desired, the end plate 19 may be circular in form instead of arcu-ate; however, the latter is preferred.

It will thus be seen that when the latticed complementary upper frame sections 14 and 16 are placed about the upper portion of the tube, the latticed frame sections completely surround and contain the associated portion of the tube. The inner peripheral surface 27 (FIG. 6) of each end and intermediate plate is provided with a cushioning layer 28 of rubber or the like adapted to bear against selected outer peripheral portions of the enclosed tube. The cushioning layer of rubber may be either vulcanized to the metal plate or otherwise secured, and may be either solid and merely deformable, or hollow and capable of being inflated. Thus, in the embodiment disclosed, the plates are axially or longitudinally spaced to coincide with [and bear against the outer peripheries of the radially extending annular metallic flanges 9, the inner peripheries of which are rigidly brazed to associated drift tubes 6. The complementary lat-ticed frame sections so positioned, are releasably clamped to the tube structure and to each other by valise type fasteners 29', shown best in FIG. 7. Two fasteners 29 are provided with each pair of complementary plates. to releasably secure the frame sections together. When desired, all the fasteners on each side of the frame may be linked by a lock wire (not shown) to discourage tampering and prevent accidental opening of the fasteners.

The lower portion 13 of the latticed frame is similar to the upper portion. Each lower latticed section 17 and 18 comprises apertured arcuate upper and lower spaced end plates 31 and 32, respectively, joined by parallel tubular stringers or bars 33 secured to the apertured end plates by pins 34. Again, the pins may be of a quickly releasable type to facilitate adjustment of the end and intermediate plates. As with the upper frame sections, intermediate arcuate plates 36 are provided to lend rigidity to the structure. The lower frame sections are proportioned to enclose the electron gun 2 of the tube, and the end and intermediate plates are provided with a cushioning liner 28 similar to corresponding plates in the upper sections. Valise-type fasteners 29 clamp the lower complementar y la'tticed frame sections to the gun 2 and to each other, while cap screws 37 extending between the bottom plates 22 of the upper sections and the upper plates 31 of the lower sect-ions secure the upper and lower latticed frame portions together against relative axial displacement. While cap screws have been shown, it is contemplated that any of a number of quick-release fasteners may be substituted, or that the parts can be proportioned to automatically interlock during assembly. The interconnection of upper and lowerportions is preferably effected at the flange where the gun 2 and interaction body portion 4 are connected.

As shown best in FIGS. 3 and 4, shock absorbers 38 are provided on opposite sides of the frame adjacent each end to resiliently support the frame and tube in a box or transport case 39 as shown in dash lines in FIG. 2. Each shock absorber conveniently comprises a rubber-like elastic body 4t vulcanized to a mounting plate 41 secured as by threaded stud 42 to the frame. A plate 43 embedded in the elastic body carries a threaded stud 44 for attaching the shock absorber to a support within the transport case. Trunnions 46, fixed on bottom plate 32 of the lower portion of the frame, cooperate with the support means in the transport ease to facilitate lowering of the frame into a horizontal position inside the transport case.

It will thus be apparent that applicants have provided a. rigid and easily applicable support frame for beam tubes of the klystron type. Thelatticed frame permits visual inspection of the supported tube, and is also sus eeptible to re-use on other tubes, thus being an important factor in computing the cost of packing tubes for shipment. It has been found that the frame is resistant to tortional stresses, and is at least as rigid as, and much lighter than, a completely enclosed shell-type structure.

In use, the upper portion of the frame is first applied to the upper end of the envelope as it stands in a vertical position. Placing the two halves or sections 14 and 16 about the envelope and closing the valise-type clamps 29 will secure the frame portion 12 to the envelope. If additional rigidity is desired, the lower plate 22 may be fastened to the flange plate Q of the gun as by cap screws or other suitable means. The complementary sections 17 and 18 of the lower portion 13 are next placed about the gun and clamped thereon by closing the clamps 29. The upper and lower portions are secured by suitable means to prevent relative axial displacement between upper and lower portions. The tube, with frame attached, may now be hoisted by means of appropriate equipment secured to the eye-bolts 21 without danger of the tube being damaged by lateral displacement of its flexibly interconnected sections. It will, of course be understood that when desired the upper portion of the frame may be used as an in-plant handling frame before the lower portion 13 is secured around the gun.

We claim:

1. A support device for an evacuated electron tube having laterally displaceable envelope sections, comprising a latticed frame, said frame including at least two separable axially arranged portions, each said portion having complementary sections arranged to engage a peripheral portion of the tube envelope, and means releasably clamping the complementary sections of each said portion of the frame about an associated portion of the tube envelope.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which means are provided rigidly securing said axially arranged portions against relative axial displacement when said complementary sections of each portion are clamped about the tube.

3. A support device comprising a latticed frame adapted to enclose an object to be supported, said frame including complementary sections adapted to engage the periphery of the object to be supported, each said setion comprising spaced end plates, a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending beam members adjus-tably connecting said end plates, brace plates intermediate the ends of said beam members and selectively adjustable longitudinally therealong to vary the spacing between said plates, and a plurality of cooperating fastener elements adjacent corresponding edges of said complementary sections and extending thereacross to clamp said sections about the object to be supported.

4. A support device comprising a latticed frame adapt ed to enclose an object to be supported, said frame having upper and lower axially aligned portions, each said portion including complementary sections adapted to en-- gage the periphery of the object to be supported, each said section comprising spaced end plates, a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending beam members adjustably connecting said end plates, brace plates intermediate the ends of said beam members and selectively adjustable longitudinally therealong to vary the spacing between said plates, and a plurality of cooperating fastener elements adjacent corresponding edges of said complementary sections and extending thereacross to clamp said sections about the object to be supported.

5. A support device comprising a latticed frame adapted to enclose an object to be supported, said frame including complementary sections adapted to engage the periphery of the object to be supported, each said section comprising spaced end plates, a pluraiity of laterally spaced longitudinally extending beam members adjustably connecting said end plates, brace plates intermediate the ends of said beam members and selectively adjustable longitudinally therealong to vary the spacing between said plates, a plurality of cooperating fastener elements adjacent corresponding edges of said complementary section and extending thereacross to releasably clamp said sections about the object to be supported, and means interposed between said upper and lower portions releasably locking said axially aligned portions against relative axial displacement.

6. A support device comprising a latticed frame adapted to enclose an object to be supported, said frame including complementary sections adapted to encircle the object to be supported, each said section comprising spaced end plates, a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending beam members extending between said end plates and attached thereto, intermediate plates spaced along said beam members and attached thereto intermediate said end plates, each of said intermediate plates having a concave inner surface for engaging the object to be supported, said beam members extending no farther toward the center of said device than said inner surfaec whereby said inner surface of the intermediate plates will engage the object to be supported, and means for fastening said complementary sections together.

7. A support device as claimed in claim 6 in which said end plates each have a concave inner surface for engaging the object to be supported.

8. A support device as claimed in claim 6 in which said inner surfaces are made of resilient cushioning material.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 565,958 Burke Aug. 18, 1896 812,090 Rose Feb. 6, 1906 926,941 Harding July 6, 1909 2,412,756 Smith Dec. 17, 1946 2,715,960 Norris Aug. 23, 1955 2,928,535 Simmons Mar. 15, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 950,058 Germany Oct. 4, 1956 1,016,740 France Sept. 3, 1952 

3. A SUPPORT DEVICE COMPRISING A LATTICED FRAME ADAPTED TO ENCLOSE AN OBJECT TO BE SUPPORTED, SAID FRAME INCLUDING COMPLEMENTARY SECTIONS ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE PERIPHERY OF THE OBJECT TO BE SUPPORTED, EACH SAID SETION COMPRISING SPACED END PLATES, A PLURALITY OF LATERALLY SPACED LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING BEAM MEMBERS ADJUSTABLY CONNECTING SAID END PLATES, BRACE PLATES INTERMEDIATE THE ENDS OF SAID BEAM MEMBERS AND SELECTIVELY ADJUSTABLE LONGITUDINALLY THEREALONG TO VARY THE SPACING BETWEEN SAID PLATES, AND A PLURALITY OF COOPERATING FASTENER ELEMENT ADJACENT CORRESPONDING EDGES OF SAID COMPLEMENTARY SECTIONS AND EXTENDING THEREACROSS TO CLAMP SAID SECTIONS ABOUT THE OBJECT TO BE SUPPORTED. 